Decorative frame

ABSTRACT

A decorative frame having a triangular section and one or more trapezoidal sections is disclosed. The sections are connected by hinges and can be folded at the hinges to enable easy installation, storage and transportation of the frame. The frame may also be decorated using ornaments, lights and/or garlands.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a decorative frame, and morespecifically to a foldable and portable Christmas tree apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the Christmas holiday season, millions of Americans adorn theirhomes with Christmas trees, both real and artificial. In doing so, theyspend countless hours unloading, setting and decorating their Christmastrees. Further, once the season is over, much time again is spentdisassembling and storing the trees. These trees have their problems. Incertain instances, the size of the Christmas trees may not fit a desiredspace. In addition, time is spent disassembling and cleaning up afterthe tree. As such, there is a need for a foldable and portable Christmastree apparatus that could be easily assembled and easily decorated.

The decorative frame, in an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention, is designed to save time and energy during the hectic holidayseason. Installation of the frame only takes seconds and it may beconveniently stored. Use of the decorative frame eliminates the hassleof storing and transporting big bulky boxes (for real or synthetictrees). The contemplated decorative frame also eliminates the need forcleanup normally associated with a real tree.

The decorative frame easily assembles by unfolding and hanging it on awall hook, nail or tack. In an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention, the decorative frame may be hung using a hook attached to theframe's apex. The decorative frame quickly folds for easy storage. Inshort it is a folding, hanging pre-lit Christmas tree. The decorativeframe, in an aspect, may be welded to the shape and size of a Christmastree. Ornaments, garlands and lights may be securely wrapped around thedecorative frame to give the visual illusion of a traditional Christmastree. The hinges allow the tree to be folded into halves and thirds foreasy storage.

The decorative frame can be installed and removed in a fraction of thetime it takes to use a traditional live tree or even a pre-lit synthetictree. Instillation will take less than 5 minutes and the customer canstart decorating right away. Users will no longer have the hassle ofcleaning up pine needles or watering the tree. The decorative frame canbe customized to fit the customers style. This product differs fromother Christmas trees in the following ways: the tree will take up lessspace by hanging on a wall instead of taking up 4 to 5 feet in one'home. In addition, the frame's installation is quick, easy and can beeasier stored, this is a cost-effective item, it can be reused anddecorated over and over. The front and back of the frame are identicaland can be decorated on either side. The frame also can be hung from theceiling to give a more traditional feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates adecorative frame which may include a triangular section having a base, afirst trapezoidal section, having left, right, top and base sides, wherethe first trapezoidal section may be connected with the triangularsection using one or more hinges. The frame may also include a secondtrapezoidal section, having left, right, top and base sides, where thesecond trapezoidal section may be connected to the first trapezoidalsection using one or more hinges. The triangular and both trapezoidalsections of the frame may also include crossbars connecting oppositesides of each section and parallel to the hinge(s).

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the decorativeframe may include a handle attached to a crossbar of the secondtrapezoidal section.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the triangularsection may include a hook at its apex. The hook may be used to installthe frame on a wall or for hanging the frame from the ceiling or otherposition.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the crossbarsmay include attachment grooves for attaching any one or more of:ornaments, garlands, lights.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the firsttrapezoidal section may be smaller in area than the second trapezoidalsection.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the triangularsection's base may be equal in length with the first trapezoidalsection's top side. In this aspect, the first trapezoidal section's basemay be equal in length with the top side of the second trapezoidalsection. As such, when all of the sections are unfolded, they togetherform a triangular shape.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the hingesenable the frame to be folded into thirds.

Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates adecorative frame which may include a triangular section having a base,and a trapezoidal section, having left, right, top and base sides. Thetrapezoidal section may be connected with the triangular section usingone or more hinges. The triangular and trapezoidal sections may alsoinclude crossbars which connect opposing sides of each section and areparallel to the hinge(s).

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, thedecorative frame may include a handle attached to a crossbar of thetrapezoidal section.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, thetriangular section may include a hook at its apex. The hook may be usedto position or install the frame on a wall or to hang it from a ceiling.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, thecrossbars may include attachment grooves for attaching any one or moreof: ornaments, garlands, lights.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, thetriangular section's base may be equal in length with the trapezoidalsection's top side. As such, when unfolded, both sections together forma triangular shape.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the hingesenable the frame to be folded in half.

Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description of thepreferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of aspects of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the claims and drawings, in which likereference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a decorative frame having triangular andtrapezoidal sections according to an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a decorative frame having a triangularsection and two trapezoidal sections according to an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an installed and decorateddecorative frame according to an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a decorative frame bent at itshinges according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 a decorative frame 100 having triangular (102)and trapezoidal (108) sections is shown according to an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention. Decorative frame 100 includestriangular section 102 which has apex 102A and base 102B. Triangularsection 102 is connected to trapezoidal section 108 by way of hinges 106which connects base 102B with top section 108A of trapezoidal section108.

Connecting opposite sides of triangular section 102 and trapezoidalsection 108 are a plurality of crossbars 110. Crossbars 110, in anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention may include grooveswhich could be used to install ornaments, garlands, lights etc.

Attached to a crossbar 110 of trapezoidal section 108 is handle 112which is used to transport or move decorative frame 100 once triangularsection 102 has been folded over at hinges 106.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a decorative frame 200 having a triangularsection 202 and two trapezoidal sections 210, 216 is shown according toan aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. Decorative frame200 includes triangular section 202. Triangular section 202 includesapex 208 which, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,may include a hook for installing decorative frame 200. Triangularsection 202 also includes base 204 of triangular section 202. Base 204connects with top (212) of first trapezoidal section 210 by way ofhinges 206. First trapezoidal section 210 also includes a base 214.

Base 214 of first trapezoidal section 210 is connected with top side 218of second trapezoidal section 216 by way of hinges 220. Acrosstriangular section 202 and trapezoidal sections 210 and 216 arecrossbars 222. Crossbars 222, in an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention may include grooves which could be used to installornaments, garlands, lights etc. Attached to one of crossbars 222 ofsecond trapezoidal section 216 is handle 224 for transporting decorativeframe 200.

Triangular section 202, first trapezoidal section 210 and secondtrapezoidal section 216 may be folded with triangular section 202 beingfolded to first trapezoidal section 210 and the, along with firsttrapezoidal section 216 folded onto second trapezoidal section 216. Auser may then transport decorative frame 200 by carrying it using handle224.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an installed anddecorated decorative frame 300 is shown according to an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention. Here decorative frame 300 is showndecorated with garlands 302, ornaments 304. Decorative frame 300 alsoincludes hook 306 (not shown). Hook 306 enables decorative frame 300 tobe easily hung on a wall or installed in another way.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a perspective view of a decorative frame 400bent at its hinges 406 is shown according to an aspect of an embodimentof the present invention. Decorative frame 400, having triangularsection 402 is shown with triangular section 402 folded over trapezoidalsection 404 by way of hinges 406. Decorative frame 400 may also includecrossbars 408. In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,frame 400 may be decorated with lights 410 and garlands 412. In anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention, lights 410 andgarlands 412 may be installed on decorative frame 400 using grooves oncrossbars 408 or grooves on the sides of decorative frame 400.

It should be noted that the decorative frame, in aspects of embodimentsof the present invention, may be made of different metals or materials,including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, wood, metal alloys etc.

Although this present invention has been disclosed with reference tospecific forms and embodiments, it will be evident that a great numberof variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. For example, steps may be reversed, equivalentelements may be substituted for those specifically disclosed and certainfeatures of the present invention may be used independently of otherfeatures—all without departing from the present invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative frame, comprising: a triangularsection having a base; a first trapezoidal section, comprising of left,right, top and base sides, wherein said first trapezoidal section isconnected with the triangular section by way of at least one hinge; anda second trapezoidal section, comprising of left, right, top and basesides, wherein said second trapezoidal section is connected to the firsttrapezoidal section by way of at least one hinge, wherein triangular andboth trapezoidal sections comprise of crossbars parallel to each of theat least one hinge.
 2. The decorative frame of claim 1, furthercomprising of a handle attached to a crossbar of the second trapezoidalsection.
 3. The decorative frame of claim 1, wherein the triangularsection comprises of a hook at its apex.
 4. The decorative frame ofclaim 1, wherein the crossbars comprise of attachments grooves forattaching any one or more of: ornaments, garlands, lights.
 5. Thedecorative frame of claim 1, wherein the first trapezoidal section issmaller in area than the second trapezoidal section.
 6. The decorativeframe of claim 1, wherein the area of the sections unfolded, togetherform a triangular shape.
 7. The decorative frame of claim 1, wherein thetriangular section's base is equal in length with the first trapezoidalsection's top side and wherein the first trapezoidal section's base isequal in length with the top side of the second trapezoidal section. 8.The decorative frame of claim 1, wherein the hinges enable the frame tobe folded into thirds.
 9. A decorative frame, comprising: a triangularsection having a base; and a trapezoidal section, comprising of left,right, top and base sides, wherein said trapezoidal section is connectedwith the triangular section by way of at least one hinge, wherein saidtriangular and trapezoidal sections comprise of crossbars parallel tothe at least one hinge.
 10. The decorative frame of claim 9, furthercomprising of a handle attached to a crossbar of the trapezoidalsection.
 11. The decorative frame of claim 9, wherein the triangularsection comprises of a hook at its apex.
 12. The decorative frame ofclaim 9, wherein the crossbars comprise of attachments grooves forattaching any one or more of: ornaments, garlands, lights.
 13. Thedecorative frame of claim 9, wherein the area of the sections unfolded,together form a triangular shape.
 14. The decorative frame of claim 9,wherein the triangular section's base is equal in length with thetrapezoidal section's top side.
 15. The decorative frame of claim 9,wherein the hinges enable the frame to be folded in half.